Mesa said she's heard from many of the more than 600 tenants of the motor home park who are very upset. She's passed out flyers, encouraging them to attend the next town meeting discussing the project.

Atmore contends that any discomfort over the idea of having the crematorium nearby will be offset by the service it will bring, offering cremations at dramatically reduced prices over competitors.

Atmore and his wife, Deborah, have no background in the funeral business. Both are retired from telecommunications: him from 30 years with Contel and her from 25 years with Verizon.

But after both Atmores lost a parent within a short time, he said they were shocked by the related costs.

"Where do the economically challenged go to bury their parent or sister or friend?" Atmore asked.

He then set out traveling across Southern California, showing up unannounced at mortuaries to compare prices for cremation services.

"The more research I did, the madder I got," Atmore said.

He found that the vast majority of cremation facilities are not open to the public. Instead, they are partnered or contract with mortuaries and cemeteries, who add their own fees on top of the cremation costs. Atmore said many staff members at these facilities also work on commission, pushing the most expensive urns or extra services to add to a package.

"I just thought that there had to be a better way," he said.

That's when the idea for Affordable Cremations of the High Desert was born.

"I am going to be one of the few facilities that is fully licensed and not associated with a cemetery or mortuary. I will be open to the public," Atmore said.

"He's either one of the best conmen or someone with a very big heart," said William Molyneux, 49, who lives in the Apple Valley Motor Lodge.

Molyneux met with Atmore Tuesday and drove him by neighboring schools, and Atmore promised to take several people from the trailer park around to crematoriums to help them understand the project.

As a disabled veteran with terminal lung cancer, Molyneux is very concerned over developments that will release anything into the air.

"I don't think it's going to do property values any good," Molyneux added. "It sure would be nice if they put it in the middle of the desert."

Atmore said he looked at many locations, including Southern California Logistics Airport, before securing the site at 13558 Nomwaket Road.

Some were not zoned for the business, while others didn't have access to needed utilities.

Though he's not happy about the project, Molyneux said he's not necessarily against it. He just wants to ensure there's careful monitoring of the site.

"He deserves a fair chance," Molyneux said, "but we need a watchdog."

The project is up for a vote before Apple Valley's Planning Commission at their August 20 meeting.

Brooke Edwards may be reached at 955-5358 or at bedwards@vvdailypress.com.

By the numbers

2.4 million Americans die each year$11 billion is spent annually in the American funeral industry30 percent of respondents to a survey said they prefer cremation over burying to save money31 percent of deceased Americans were cremated in 200552 percent of deceased Californians were cremated in 200522,000 mortuaries exist in America2,000 crematoriums exist in America200 licensed crematories exist in California120,883 cremations were performed in California in 2005$6,500 is the average cost of a funeral in America

Source: Cremation Association of North America and National Funeral Directors Association